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 Neela Sakaria: Please tell our readers about your background as a photographer, your involvement with issues regarding civil union, and your motivations for creating this book.
Linda Hollingdale: I've been taking photos since the age of nine and have found photography to be a natural creative outlet. In 1972, when I was a sophomore in college, I purchased a second-hand enlarger and some simple processing equipment and began my work as a black & white photographer. I'm drawn to all types of imagery, but I particularly enjoy capturing a "life moment" as the subject of my work. These images often reveal both simplicity and depth all in one image. I am pleased when an image I've created touches the viewer in some manner. One of the motivations for creating my book was to challenge myself as an artist by building a project around some important life moment, to create something that would touch people in a special way.
The timing of my project was related to my 30th year as a black & white photographer, I wanted to mark that occasion with a creative process. The timing also coincided with Vermont's work on trying to legalize same-sex marriage. As a lesbian, this issue was an important pursuit that I hoped would lead to added equal rights for gay and lesbian couples and families. So as you might guess, this project was dear to me on several levels. My decision to focus on people who supported same-sex marriage was purposeful. I wanted to celebrate Vermont's achievement as well as create a tool for future education and awareness.
Neela: What do you hope that readers will take away from CREATING CIVIL UNION: OPENING HEARTS AND MINDS?
LH: I hope for a few things:
If this book can help the reader to open further to the question of same-sex marriage, then I would be pleased. Marriage and family is at the core of our society and many gay & lesbian couples would love to be welcomed in to that experience.
If this book can help the reader see that many of the negative assumptions made about gay & lesbian people are not true, that could be the beginning of an opportunity to seek the truth about those who are misjudged.
If this book can support the historical tradition in our country of people working to end discrimination of marginalized groups, even if they are not a member of that group, then that can better our society for everyone.
If this book can be an example of simple caring and goodness, that is good.
Neela: Can you tell our readers about the selection/invitation process, in terms of who you decided to profile in your book?
LH: Trying to decide who to profile in Creating Civil Union was difficult. There were hundreds of people who could have been included and I had to narrow my choices down to 50. I thought I might have two or more invitation cycles since I assumed that many people who were invited would decline. However, out of the 60 initial invitations, 57 said "yes!" As time passed, some people had a change of heart and the final number of participants (or participant groups) ended up being 47.
I wanted a wide sample of perspectives, so the people profiled in Creating Civil Union include the plaintiffs and attorneys from Baker v. State of Vermont, several members of the legislature, Governor Howard Dean, clergy, parents & families, volunteers, gay & lesbian couples, business people, justices of the peace, a town clerk, and David Moats who is a journalist who won a Pulitzer Prize for his editorials on civil union. Approximately half of the participants are gay or lesbian and half are heterosexual. There is a gender balance and a nice variety of ages.
When I asked people to participate, I told them that, along with taking their photograph, I wanted to create an essay that would contain each person's reflections about being a part of the same-sex marriage - and eventual civil union - endeavor. With a few guiding questions to help give some direction, each person sent fully crafted essays or bits and pieces of information that I blended into an essay. I wanted the end result to contain the thoughts and emotions of that incredible experience coupled with an image that put a human face on this controversial issue. This combination of image and word creates a powerful impact.
Neela: I was particularly fond of the story of Judy and Mike Olinick and their work towards full marriage rights for same-sex couples. Who were your favorite or most memorable participants to photograph and work with, and why?
LH: Wow! Good, but tough, question! Some of the participants are friends of mine, some people I knew slightly, but most of the participants I had never met before. I had positive hopes for an amazing experience during the creative process, and I was not disappointed. Actually, the whole experience for me far exceeded any expectations I might have had. Like Judy & Mike Olinick, each participant gave of themselves eagerly and wholeheartedly. However, it was not easy for most people. We all had to dredge up memories of the painful parts of the hearings and the entire political process. Some people lost their political seats due to their stance, other people had to "come out" to family, friends, and the state of Vermont with mixed reviews, and many people who were working for full marriage rights were understandably upset at the civil union compromise. So, I was touched by the generosity of these people. They were willing to open, once again, to the vulnerability of their positions as well as enduring the vulnerability of being photographed.
I have always been awed by the courage of gay & lesbian people who work tirelessly for equal rights. Some memorable participants therefore include: the attorneys and plaintiffs who gave years of their lives for this particular effort; Representative Bill Lippert who, as Vermont's only openly gay legislator, provided sound leadership amidst the furor; and couples like Nora Skolnick & Laura Davidson who took added risks by "coming out" to employers and family in order to volunteer for this cause.
Some of the most powerful moments for me involved the participants who are not gay or lesbian. Politicians who took this task to heart and really studied the issue earned my respect and gratitude. They put their jobs on the line in order to do what they considered to be "the right thing." Robert Kinsey was my first photo shoot, it was memorable... I think we were both a bit nervous! He is a quiet, hard-working farmer who served in the legislature for 30 years before he lost his seat. His support of civil union came from his fundamental belief in equality for all people which has grown within him since his boyhood. His essay is simple and touching.
Another touching story is that of Helena Blair. She was 78 years old during the debates and is a devout Catholic. She "came out" as the mother of a gay son and used her love and passion to encourage those in power to end discrimination. One of the essays that still brings tears is the essay by Reverend Gary Kowalski. His words blend the legal and religious aspects of this struggle with the human aspects of love and family.
All in all, I believe that the combination of voices and perspectives is what gives Creating Civil Union: Opening Hearts and Minds its strength. The collection, as a whole, is inspiring.
Neela: Tell us about the significance of the Baker v. State of Vermont case.
LH: Several lawsuits have been filed throughout the country between 1978 and 1999 in pursuit of same-sex marriage rights. Not until the "Hawaii case" (Baehr v. Miike 1999) was there any favorable findings from our courts. The Hawaii case had a chance of success, but that state's legislature passed a ban on same-sex marriage before their Supreme Court ruled. In Vermont, it was the State Supreme Court that ruled in favor of same-sex marriage rights and handed the job of crafting a law to the legislature.
My first reaction to the Court's decision was elation... I was beside myself with excitement! Then within ten minutes I realized what the task was in front of us and my heart sank. I could not imagine surviving the attacks and fights that I knew lay ahead. I learned, however, that what the Supreme Court did was to hand Vermont an opportunity. We had a chance to conduct a state-wide "teachable moment" regarding gay & lesbian relationships and family life. Vermont rose to the challenge and handled the process with respect and integrity. Were there awful moments? Yes. However, overall I am so proud of how Vermonters worked with this challenge and made something happen. I wish it could have been full marriage rights, but civil union is all that Vermonters would support at that time. More work is ahead, but the creation of civil union is a huge step in a progressive direction.
It is my hope that other states will look at Vermont and see that the world has not come to an end. All the awful things that the opposition said would happen have not, and so many wonderful outcomes have graced our state and its citizens because of civil union. For these reasons, among others, Baker v. State of Vermont, is incredibly significant not only for Vermont but for the entire country.
Neela: What was the most important thing you learned during the process of creating this book?
LH: The most important thing I learned during the process of creating this book is that fear can be a powerful force, however, it can ultimately be diluted by love. I experienced my own fears about this creative endeavor, but decided to simply keep moving forward through the fear. I was not afraid to learn as I went along, and I became better at not being afraid to ask for help! The participants in the book overcame many fears by caring enough for other people and their own values in order to do courageous work. I think that most of the discomfort and hate in relation to those who are not heterosexual is born out of fear. Unless fears are challenged, it is impossible to make room for an expanded vision. I learned that opening up and expanding vision may cause discomfort, but the rewards are well worth it.
Neela: Is there anything that you would say the participants in this book share or have in common?
LH: I have mentioned courage a couple of times. I think these participants had the courage to say, "I do not want to be treated as a second-class citizen any more." or "I believe all people ought to have the same rights and privileges I have." Giving voice against great opposition is a courageous thing to do.
Generosity, compassion, thoughtfulness, open-mindedness, and determination are other qualities shared by the participants. I also believe that each participant values trying to do whatever possible to help create positive change in this society.
Neela: Are you working on any future projects?
LH: Yes, I am in the thinking stages of a new photo/essay project. While it is too soon to discuss the details of the project, it will involve a topic that will encourage readers to learn more about themselves through others. I will have a working plan in place by fall 2003.
Neela: Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?
LH: The photo/essay collection Creating Civil Union: Opening Hearts and Minds is also a traveling exhibit. The 47 piece exhibit has been showing, in part or whole, steadily since its debut in October 2002. The show is a powerful educational tool for schools, colleges, churches, synagogues, or any other community group. It is also available for gallery showings or other exhibit spaces. For more information about scheduling an exhibit showing, visit the Common Humanity Press website at www.commonhumanitypress.com.
Creating Civil Union: Opening Hearts and Minds
ISBN: 0972286004
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